Improved fire-kindling



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

IRA BIGKNELL, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVED FlRE-KINDLING.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 86,635, dated February9, 1869.

ducing a superior article of fuel or kindling.

by means of saturating coke or charcoal with inflammable fluids or oils,and then coating the same with a glutinous mucilage, so as to preservefrom evaporation the absorbed fluid or oil, and also to so cover thesurface of the particles or pieces of coke or charcoal as to prevent anysoiling of the hands in handling,

' or the vessels in which it is kept. It sets and cements all the finedust, and renders it perfectly clean and inoflensive. It ignites easilyby means of a friction-match, and not only makes a good kindling for anykind of fires, but makes a complete fuel.

The materials used are coke as made in coke-ovens or coke fromgas-manufacturing establishments. The former is the better article. Thelatter will answer a good purpose, and is less expensive. Charcoal isalso used, and makes an excellent kindling or fuel.

Any inflammable fluids or oils may be used for the saturatingingredient. Rosin, pitch, gums, or any glutinous substances may be usedfor coating purposes.

Mode of lll'amcfactmiag.

Take coke or charcoal, for they alike are susceptible of the sameprocess and improvement, and break the larger pieces to convenient sizesfor kindling fires in stoves or grates. Provide a tank of sufficientsize for convenience, holding from one to ten barrels, according to thequantity to be made. Now, take one barrel of gasoline, (whose specificgravity is .65,) eight (8) pounds of sal-soda, and four (4) pounds ofpulverized alum, and

put them into the tank. Let the mixture stand for three days, stirringit thoroughly threeor four times each day, when it will be ready foruse.

The quantity of gasoline may beincreased, preserving the relativeproportions of the other ingredients.

Now, take coke or charcoal and put it into the mixture in the tank, andlet it remain from one to two minutes, taking care that it is well wetor immersed in the liquid. Then remove the same by means of wire scoopsor otherwise, and place it upon a grating to dry.

As soon as the fluid is absorbed and the coke or charcoal has become dryon the surface it is ready for the second process or coatmg.

Now, take another kettle or tank of any given dimensions, correspondingto the quantity of kindling or fuel to be made, set and arranged forheating over a fire or by steam. Take one barrel of rosin or pitch, andput it into the tank or kettle. Dissolve, melt, and heat the same untilit boils.

Now, add ten (10) pounds of bees-wax and ten (10) gallons of theprepared gasoline, as above stated, stir and mix them well together, andwhen the mucilage is well mixed and boiling put the saturated coke orcharcoal into the same, and let it remain from one to two minutes,taking care that it is thoroughly wet or immersed in the hot liquid. Assoon as well dipped or covered in the glutinous preparation, remove thesame by means of wire scoops or otherwise, and place it upon a grating,that it may drip and dry.

As soon as dry and the coating becomes hard it is ready for use.

Any number of barrels of rosinor pitch may be put into the tank at onetime, observing the relative proportions, as above stated.

The above-described two processes of first saturating and then coatingmay be done at one operation, but it is better as above described.

I do not confine myself to theuse of gasoline in my invention, as anyinflammable fluids or oils may be used; neither to the use of coalsaturated with petroleum, or its equivalent, and coated with rosin orpitch and beeswax, to prevent its evaporation, or any othersubstantially the same.

IRA BIOKNELL. Witnesses: THos. MCLEAN, V. SOHWAB.

